Decision Maker Corporate Information Branch

Decision Maker Corporate Information Branch

Location:

Greater Belfast, United Kingdom

Company: JR UK

Employer:

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Job reference: f

Hours of Work:
Full‑Time

Opening Date: 21.05.2026

Closing Date: 26th May 2026 at 3pm

Salary: £30,458 – £31,097 plus £1,422 environmental allowance

The role holder will support the PSNI in ensuring it delivers against its statutory obligations under key legislation, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulation 2004, and the right of access under Data Protection Legislation: DPA 2018, DUAA 2025, and UK GDPR. The successful candidate will be part of a team and will take ownership for the processing of requests for information to ensure the PSNI provides accurate, timely responses in compliance with its legal obligations.

The role involves deciding what information can be released or withheld, applying legal exemptions where necessary, and maintaining high standards of transparency and integrity. It also involves supporting continuous improvement, contributing to training and peer review, and providing advice to colleagues and members of the public.

• Casework Management:
  Taking ownership for processing information requests under FOI, EIR, and Data Protection legislation, ensuring responses are completed accurately, lawfully, and within statutory time frames.
• Managing own workload, self‑allocating requests to maintain caseload and keep responses within deadlines.
• Applying subject‑matter expertise to manage all stages of the request process from logging to final publication, including requestor contact, allocation, research, stakeholder engagement, assessment of recorded information, application of exemptions, and quality assurance.
• Maintaining high standards of legal compliance and ensuring all decisions are well‑reasoned, documented, and made with integrity and transparency.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Developing and maintaining strong professional relationships with teams and departments across the PSNI, providing advice and guidance regarding legislation and request handling.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including the public, NPCC CRU, PRONI, ICO, and PSNI departments.
• Managing and responding to external queries, verifying identities as required, and providing partners with clear, expert advice over phone, email, or hard‑copy correspondence.
• Collaborating with external colleagues and partner agencies to share information and best practice.
• Research and Decision‑Making:
  Determining legislation for each request, locating and assessing relevant records, applying red actions and legal exemptions, and ensuring decision‑making is audited.
• Processing multiple requests within tight legislative deadlines to respond to the requestor.
• Operational Support:
  Working as part of the Corporate Information team, providing updates on casework, raising issues, monitoring unallocated cases, managing mailboxes, processing physical correspondence, and supporting internal reviews and complaints from the ICO.
• Continuous Improvement and Development:
  Identifying and reporting root causes of issues, undertaking regular training, supporting a culture of learning through peer reviews, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.

• 2 A‑levels or equivalent Level 3 qualification.
• 12 months experience interpreting and processing information requests under FOI, EIR, and/or Data Protection legislation in a work setting.
• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging stakeholders.
• Experience assessing information and applying sound judgment for accurate responses.
• IT literacy, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Access to transport to fulfil job responsibilities.

• Law degree or related degree, or experience applying LE provisions and exemptions under FOI/Data Protection legislation.
• Experience contributing to team learning or continuous improvement, such as peer review or mentoring.

Appointment will depend on satisfying vetting requirements (SC). Applicants must have a three‑year checkable history. Shortlisting will be based on essential criteria, with desirable criteria possibly assessed for high volume of applicants. Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities.

Selection methodology uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). Applicants will be assessed on values (Courage & Integrity, Respect & Empathy) and competency level 2:
Analyse Critically, Take Ownership, Collaborate.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills, and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the CVF assessment.